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Moss far from big superstar

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
01/30/2013 06:49:24 AM EST

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Randy Moss strolled to the podium on Super Bowl media day -- his 49ers hat tilted slightly to the left, his sleeves rolled up high to reveal a cross tattooed on one arm, a large "R'' tattooed on the other.

He carried himself very much like the star he once was.

"I don't know how many questions I'm gonna give you," he barked to reporters, before breaking into a smile. "So go ahead."

Then, for the next hour or so, he was the center of attention -- a role he seemed perfectly suited for, even though he kept saying over and over that he just wants to be treated like anyone else.

Moss proclaimed himself "the greatest receiver ever to play this game." He urged all the coaches out there to listen to their players every now and then.

"I'm me," Moss declared. "I just do it my way. That's just how I feel."

He came oh-so-close during the 2007 season of winning the Super Bowl, teaming with Tom Brady to lead New England to an unbeaten regular season and two more wins in the playoffs.

Then, in the game that really mattered, the high-powered Patriots were shut down in the Super Bowl by the New York Giants, who rallied for a stunning 17-14 upset after David Tyree -- not Moss -- made a catch that left everyone in awe.

It's a game Moss has never bothered to watch on video. It's a game that sticks with him to this day -- and probably will forever, even if the 49ers win on Sunday.

"There's just something about '07, being undefeated going into a Super Bowl and losing it like that," he said.

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"I'll never forget that moment because it's not fun when you're sweating and you have confetti dropping down and sticking to your face and knowing that you're not on the winning side of the confetti."

Surely, someone asked, winning this time would ease the pain from five seasons ago.

Not so, Moss replied.

"If I win this one, that means I could have had two," he said. "That's something I'll never forget."

Moss' last big season came with the Patriots in 2009, when he had 83 receptions for 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns. The following year was a mess, largely of his own making.

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